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Second Generation
3. Capt. James
LEONARD14 was born
about 1642 in Bilston?, Staffordshire, England. He died on 1 Nov
1726 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.15
He was buried in Neck 'o Land Cemetery, Taunton, MA. According to
ECL, "the second son of James Leonard was probably born inEngland; there
is not much about him in the public records. What isfound is in the records
of his brother Thomas. He learned theironmasters trade but for the fact that
his first four children were bornin Braintree, we assume that he was at the Braintree
works until about1671.
One source, CD157 Early New York Families, p. 435, has him as the son ofRichard
Leonard, born in 1643 and dying 1 Nov 1736.
He was given the west hearth of Raynham Forge by his father about 1675.We are
led to believe that James worked at the Raynham Forge as long ashe worked in
iron. He was Surveyor of Highways in 1669 and 1678, on theGrand Jury in 1680
and 1685, a constable in 1686, a Selectman in 1689,1690, 1691 to 1696, 1697,
1703, 1705, and 1706. He is styled Lt. in1706, 1708, and 1710." See ECL,
pp. 35ff.
He was thrifty. He owned a sawmill with his brother Thomas, which hegave to
his son Seth in 1712. He aided his son James in the purchase ofhis uncle Uriah's
interest in the Whittinton Forge in 1699. He placedhis son Stephen as master
workman at the West Hearth in Raynham Ironworks.
He built the house of 7 gables in Raynham which remained in the familyuntil 1840.
He died in his 84th year. Will of James Leonard of Taunton, "being agedand
under bodily weakness," dtd. March 4, 1725/6, prob. 13 April 1726/7.Wife
Rebecca. Sons: James (eldest), Stephen and Seth Leonard. 3daughters by my
first wife: Unis, Prudence, and Hannah Crane who marriedJohn Crane of Dighton,
dcd. Other daughters: Lydia Brettin, SarahHodges, Elizabeth Hall, Abigail Dean
dcd. and Darkis Leonard. "My latefather-in-law Anthoney Culiver" and
my late wife Lydia dcd. GrandsonZephaniah Leonard. Granddaughter Abigail Dean
and other children (notnamed) of my daughter Abigail Dean dcd. My brothers Thomas
Leonard andUriah Leonard. My indentured servant Patriarch Robinson and AbigailRobinson.
Sons James and Seth Leonard as execs. Witnesses: SethWilliams, Timothy Jones,
and Samuel Leonard, Jr. (5:399/400/1/2/3). Whowas Darkis (Dorcas?) Leonard?
A Dorcas White married his son, Seth. Hannah MARTIN
died on 25 Feb 1673/74 in Taunton, MA. George Marston Leonard charts
list her as Hannah Stone, but it was hisson James who married Hannah Walley Stone.
Boston Transcript had a question as to who her parents were. Was therean answer?
Torrey's Marriages doesn't list a last name. Capt. James LEONARD and Hannah
MARTIN had the following children:
Capt.
James LEONARD and Lydia GULLIVER were married on 29 Oct 1675 in Taunton, Bristol,
MA.18 Lydia
GULLIVER (daughter of Anthony GULLIVER and Lydia KINGSLEY) was born on 13
Oct 1651 in Milton, MA. She died on 4 Jul 1705 in Taunton, Bristol
Co., MA.15 She was buried
in Neck of Land Burying Ground, Taunton, MA. She died in her 47th
year. Capt. James LEONARD and Lydia GULLIVER had the following children:
Capt.
James LEONARD and Rebecca Macy WILLIAMS were married on 29 Aug 1706 in Taunton,
MA.20 Rebecca
Macy WILLIAMS (daughter of George MACY and Susanna SWEET) was born in 1662.
She died on 3 Apr 1738 in Taunton, MA.21
She was buried in Neck 'o Land Cemetery, Taunton, MA. A Rebecca
Leonard, relict of James Leonard, late of Taunton, died inTaunton April 3, 1738,
in the 77th year of her age. -- First Book ofRaynham Records, p. 436 (on CD from
reprinted journal). This may be thecorrect date. James Savage has her dying
in the 76th year of her age.She was the widow of Benjamin Williams before she
married James Leonard. Capt. James LEONARD and Rebecca Macy WILLIAMS had the
following children:
35 | i. | Ebenezer LEONARD was born on 28 Jul 1708
in Taunton, MA. He died in Taunton, MA. "Died young,
unmarried," according to ECL and James Savage. |
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